What an interesting week we have had.  It has been a week full of trials,as well as blessing---though I look at my trials as blessings too.  God has carried us through so gracefully and in a way that only God can, on wings like eagles.  Isn't it truly amazing?  I cannot begin to understand how anyone can go through life, especially trials/hardships without the Lord.  I can't even make it a day  :-)  and for that, I am thankful.

Well, let's see....the highlight of the week was probably my oldest getting the Chicken Pox.  He was exposed about 16 days before he started breaking out.  I had to elimanate the possibility of it being chiggers, though,  since he had been in the woods the day before he broke out in spots.  However,  the spots and the timing were all adding up to Chicken Pox.  So, Monday morning we were off to the doctor for a confirmation. 

Now, knowing it was indeed the Pox, our week changed drastically.  AtTheCross could not do his normal activities (swim team 5x per week being the main one, scouts, church etc.)  and I needed care for him in a home that already had had the Chicken Pox  so I could take the other 2 boys to their activities.  There was definately a bit of juggling to do.  Yet, when AtTheCross didn't have his usual activities, it gave us all some wonderful down time as a family and it was wonderful!!  How blessed we were!

School also went a bit differently than normal.  We got all subjects and hours covered but in a different fashion.  We did some things outdoors, some read alouds during oatmeal baths, other subjects at the lunch table and others in between scratches.  We did some science in the garden, as the fall crop went in and some history  (mostly in the form of read alouds and discussions) while calamine lotion was drying, while more oatmeal baths were taken, at dinner and before bed.  It was a fun week, we all enjoyed doing things a bit differently.  A nice break from the routine.  

The chicken pox in our house also meant that I couldn't babysit this week.  So, I had to arrange for my babysitting child to go somewhere else.  I also couldn't have an interview for another child I will be gettting to sit.  That all leads to  praying, praying, praying God would provide for us this week/month without that income.  God always keeps me humble, dependant and on my knees.  He has a way of doing that doesn't He?  Well, would you know, I received a blessing in my mailbox from the Lord to help out?  God is amazing!!!

Another incident was when our sewer backed up this morning in the basement bathroom and the laundry room.  It was a very stinky, wet, dirty mess, leaving me lots of laundry, floor bleaching, and carpet drying to do.  Back to my knees I went in my room, just calling and the Lord.  As you can imagine, yet again, God took care of us by providing a man to come and snake it out for FREE--Talk about blessings!  God is good all the time--Don't ever doubt it!!! 

Now, this evening, things are settling down a bit.  I am still constantly on the alert with the other two for Chicken Pox,, watching the spot of every scratch but nothing yet.   My babysitting can resume next Monday, the sewer lines have been cleared, laundry is getting caught up and sterilized in God's bright fall sunshine and we are heading into a bright and beautiful tomorrow.  God is so faithful, a true friend in good times and bad, our comforter and strength, our provider and protector.   I am so glad I have decided to follow Him.  He is the best friend a person could ever have!